One of the big knocks on Research in Motion, they have too many BlackBerry models, is also one of their biggest strengths, they have a device that’s just right for you.
Word on the street, however, is that Research in Motion has scrapped plans for both the BlackBerry Colt, the device thought to be the first BlackBerry 10 device, and, the more recently rumored BlackBerry Milan, a BlackBerry 7 device with a ‘bit of a different design identity’.
This leaves the BlackBerry London, if the rumors are true , to be the only new BlackBerry device in the works (that we know of).
A lot of people for a long time have been saying that the BlackBerry needs to become a lot more like the iPhone. I don’t think, however, a release schedule of one device per year or so is what they had in mind.
RIM putting all of its energy into a single device to make it the best BlackBerry possible doesn’t sound like a bad idea, but, I don’t know that RIM can afford to take that kind of chance when moving to a new design running a completely new operating system.
If were a betting man I’d say that the BlackBerry London is the device that RIM is putting most of their effort into, but, they probably have a another device or two that simply haven’t been leaked in the works as well.
[Via BGR]
I still like the look of the device, but its hard to imagine that RIM would jetison physical keyboards entirely in favor of simplicity and concentration in one form factor (presumably a touchscreen). Its already more than passing strange how the tech media continues to carry on about each new succeeding model of phone featuring just the one touchscreen, with the slightest variations in length and width being trumpeted as if quantum evolutionary. The specs and guts and OS are, or course, critical and will remain so as we move forward. Does RIM have in BB10, an OS that is so head-and-shoulders beyond where everyone will be that they can go ahead and put out just another power-packed rectangle?
I am having a hard time believing that that that they won’t put out BlackBerry 10 devices with QWERTY keyboards as well. I would go as far to say that it may be even a little dangerous for RIM not to have a BlackBerry 10 device with a keyboard at launch.
People are saying Blackberry is going the way of Palm. I say it’s more going the way of Sidekick. People have moved on by now and they aren’t coming back. Those who have managed to stay are either a) Blackberry for life or b) waiting until their contract is up and have already plotted their escape to either Android or Apple. Most people don’t even know there is a London coming nor are they concerned. Either they like Blackberry as it is today or they don’t.
I think that that they are more so going the way of Nokia. They still sell a lot of devices, but, mostly overseas, and mostly feature phones. I know that the BlackBerry is technically a smartphone, but not really when compared to the iPhone, Android, or even Windows.
RIM has strange culture and self distruct political environment.
In RIM if a new hired person figure out major problem and introduce efficient approach, both manager and his buddy group member will proof their wrong approach works. just like someone point out driving a car is right way, pushing a car is wrong way, then both manager and his buddy group member will hate you, and proof that 3 person can also move the car by pushing it. cheating email will be sent to some vice president, saying like: see, the car moving, pushing a car is a natural part of the process, in order to deny new hired contribution of introducing skill of drive a car, they have to deny merit of driving a car.
It is very strange company culture and strange company political environment, it promote stealing and cheating skill. RIM’s management may be a typical instance in MBA course.
This culture deny or steal hardworking team members’ contribution/innovation, generate strange political environment, destroy RIM.